Beginners guide topic?

[LordGrover]

I've been bumbling around pedal powered as PH is my go-to resource for everything and struggling a bit.
Clearly lots of experienced and knowledgeable users who must get a bit fed up with the deluge of what bike? and novice style questions occurring so frequently.

I'm at the point where I see a list of specs and it's just gibberish - I'm spending more time googling and comparing than sleeping!

E.g.

Frame:  6061-T6 heat treated aluminium, double butted and flat-welded tubes
Rear Shock: NA
Fork:   Cr-Mo steerer and blades
FR Derailleur: Shimano FD-M390 Acera
RR Derailleur: Shimano RD-M4000 Alivio SGS
Num Gears:  27
Shifters:  Shimano SL-M4000 Alivio
Chainset:  Shimano FC-M391 Acera
Chainrings:  44/32/22
Bottom Bracket: VP Square Taper
Cassette:  Shimano CS-HG30-9 11/32T
Chain:   KMC 9 speed nickel finish
Pedals:  1-pc translucent plastic pedals
Brakeset:  Shimano BR-M506 hydraulic discs
Brake Levers:  Shimano BL-M506
Handlebars:  Pinnacle 6061 DB Aluminium Flat bar, 680mm width
Stem:   Pinnacle Ahead Stem S/M 80mm-L/XL 90mm
Headset:  VP
Grips:   Super-soft Kraton rubber
Rims:   Alex G6000 deep-section 32H
Front Hub:  Joytech 6-bolt disc
Rear Hub:  Joytech 6-bolt disc
Spokes:  Stainless PG
Front Tyre:  Kenda K-West K193 38c
Rear Tyre:  Kenda K-West K193 38c
Tubes:   Presta Valve
Saddle:  Pinnacle Sport men`s
Seatpost:  Pinnacle Aluminium 350mm x 27.2mm
Seat Binder:  Pinnacle Single-bolt clamp

Before I start another similar thread, should I be looking at a more specialized uk cycling forum?
Maybe one or three of the regulars could create a sticky-wiki or a simple beginners guide?

[ecsrobin]

The problem is everyone is different, road, track, cyclocross, xc, dh, commuting, recreational the list goes on. Then there's everyone's budgets from a few hundred to unlimited then there's whats on the market at the time, bike specs are changing on a regular basis 9 speed is now 10 speed that will soon be 11 speed, then there's different styles of pedal and so on. It's a very personalised thing.

[Mr Will]

Look at the details for the frame, groupset (gears and brakes) and suspension (if it has it). The rest of the spec list is pretty inconsequential - who cares what sort of inner tubes or seatpost-clamp a bike has fitted?

Wheels are the exception to that, but you can safely assume they'll be heavy and cheap on pretty much any big-name bike.

[richardxjr]

You pick up what's important over time. Like I said on another post, if it's a big brand (inc Evans) they'll all be very similar for the £. Try some out and buy what fits. Not all bike sales people are trying to rip you off.

[EggsBenedict]

LordGrover said:

Maybe one or three of the regulars could create a sticky-wiki or a simple beginners guide?

I had a quick think about this. I'm far from an expert, but what I've noticed is that what would be needed is a glossary. The reason I say this is that nobody can agree on anything very much, and some things are trends or fads more than any genuine thing to base a purchase on. Also, some things apply to road bikes, and some only to mountain bikes.

So if the page had a section that's generic to all, then splits for the various types, that would probably do.

Here's an example of these two points rolled into one:

Wheels - 26'er, 27b/650b, 29'er. Only applies to MTB, pros and cons debated endlessly.

I do agree it's something of value LG.